Wulai Hot Springs and waterfall – a hidden paradise near Taipei, Taiwan

Wulai was without a doubt my favorite part of Taiwan. Sure I only had a long weekend to explore but everything I loved about Taipei was in this quaint mountain town’s market too. But the real attraction of Wulai, Taiwan isn’t the night market you can find in the capitol, its the lush natural surroundings & friendly locals soaking in the Wulai hot springs along the river.

How to Get to Wulai from Taipei

Wulai sits about an hour outside downtown Taipei and there are two easy ways to reach it:

Directions to Wulai
849 bus from Xindian MRT station (end of the green line)
Bus fare – $15 NTD (~$0.50US), runs about every 15 minutes
Taxi fare – $600 NTD (~$20US) one-way, fixed rate posted at the Xindian taxi stand

Prices and bus schedules in Taiwan shift more than you’d think, so it’s worth double checking current fares and timetables on the SinDian Bus website before you head out.

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Wulai Waterfall & Cable Car

Upon first arriving in Wulai its impossible to miss the stunning bridges criss-crossing across the river augmented by the Wulai Waterfall. A column of water 80 meters high plummets to the river (making it Taiwan’s tallest waterfall) just across from the natural hot springs where you’ll find locals inviting you to join them for an afternoon soak.

Before you indulge, take the little scenic trolley up to the cable car station (about $50 NTD one-way, a fun ride on its own) instead of a taxi. From there the Wulai cable car carries you across the river to Yun Hsien Resort for around $300 NTD round-trip. Don’t forget to break out your camera for the downward view (especially if you have a GoPro!)

If you’re looking for my favorite waterfall you’ll have to check out Dalat Vietnam! Or if waterfalls in the mountains are your thing, Taiwan’s got another gem worth the trip: Taroko Gorge’s Shakadang Trail.

Wulai Old Street & Yun Hsien Resort

Once across, Yun Hsien Resort has a gondola-top hotel, pool, and canoe pond to explore. Before you head there, take a stroll up the jungle staircase. Its well paved and you’ll find a small shrine & views of the waterfall before getting to the top. You can choose to explore the jungle up there playing among rope bridges and an array of fauna or head back down for the hot springs. Fair warning, the old-school rides like the 80’s haunted house are gone now, so check what’s currently open before you plan your day around them.

When you make it back down, don’t forget to shop Wulai Old Street, the local market. The street stir fry is delicious, rice wine sweet and slabs of Atayal aboriginal mountain boar a must try! You can find colorful clothing at a crazy low price and then soak in the warmth of the natural Jacuzzi.

Wulai Hot Springs

When I visited, the free riverside pools were the highlight. Locals waved us over with a smile, and one guy had a small hot spring sauna tucked into the rocks above a stream where he’d splash water on the walls to build up steam. When the pools got too hot, I’d jump straight into the icy Nanshi River off the rocks to cool down, though I probably wouldn’t recommend that particular move if you’ve had more than a cup or two of rice wine.

That version of Wulai doesn’t exist anymore. New Taipei City removed the free riverside pools around 2017 after Typhoon Soudelor damage and ongoing sanitation issues, and the rocks I used to jump from aren’t really accessible either. Today your hot spring options are paid public bathhouses or private hotel spa rooms, generally $300 to $600 NTD for a day pass. If you still want to get in the river, river tracing tours run up the tributaries above town and are the current, guided way to do it. I wish I’d known about that back when I visited. Next time I’m hoping to bring the kids and give it a shot ourselves.

Wulai FAQ

How do I get to Wulai from Taipei?
Take the MRT to Xindian station, then hop the 849 bus (about 40 minutes, $15 NTD) right to the Wulai terminal. A taxi from Xindian runs a fixed $600 NTD one-way.

How much does the Wulai cable car cost?
Round-trip tickets run about $300 NTD for adults, with discounted rates for kids, students, and seniors.

Are the Wulai hot springs free?
No, not anymore. The free riverside pools that used to be here were removed around 2017. Public bathhouses and resort spas now charge for admission, generally $300 to $600 NTD a day pass.

Is Wulai worth a day trip from Taipei?
Yes. It’s an easy half day or full day trip built around a waterfall, a cable car ride, and an old street market, all about an hour from downtown Taipei.

For more background on the area, New Taipei City’s own official Wulai travel guide is a solid resource, especially for seasonal stuff like cherry blossoms and fireflies.